Boos once echoed around Suncorp Stadium when polarising playmaker Daly Cherry-Evans ran on to the Maroons’ hallowed turf.

But coach Kevin Walters says Queensland’s faithful will finally embrace the halfback in this year’s State of Origin series with speculation rife Cherry-Evans will be unveiled as captain on Monday night.

Not so long ago the man known as DCE was public enemy No.1 in Brisbane with rumours the classy No.7 had fallen out with the Maroons hierarchy.

Jeers turned to cheers when he took the first step towards redemption after ending a three-year Origin exile and inspiring Queensland’s Origin III victory over NSW last year.

However Walters reckoned Cherry-Evans would finally be accepted by the Queensland public in 2019 ahead of the Maroons captain’s announcement.

“They will love DCE. He showed last year what a player he is in that Maroons jersey,” Walters said.

“And he is a more experienced, settled player now. They are going to absolutely love him.”

Walters tipped the love-in to start at June 5’s Origin opener at Suncorp, backing the playmaker to overcome an ankle injury.

Cherry-Evans hasn’t played an NRL game in a month after undergoing surgery but Walters dismissed any fitness concerns.

“When I first heard about the operation I thought, ‘Oh no’, but I believed in him,” Walters said.

“I believed he could get it right. It’s amazing when you really believe in something how it can come true.”

The jury may still be out on how Maroons fans feel about DCE but Walters said he’d already won him over.

“He has done everything possible to get himself right (after ankle surgery) – the doctor and the physios are shaking their heads at how much he has progressed,” Walters said.

“It’s a look at his character.

“Sometimes his character has been judged. Well, there is is character right there, doing what he has to do to get his ankle right to play for Queensland.

“To me that is a strong person and it is inspiring for the whole team what he has gone through to get himself right for this game.

“It just shows what it means for him to be part of this great Queensland team.”

Queensland will name their skipper to replace the retired Greg Inglis and Billy Slater at 2030 AEDT.